by cfbi1 | Jun 5, 2014 | Home Inspection
One of the main causes for fires starting in the home is faulty, outdated electrical wiring, and faulty electrical mains. As a homeowner it’s your duty to ensure your home is safe to live in for you and your family. One thing to be aware of is, if your home was built prior to 1975, it is possible aluminum wiring was used, which has a much higher risk of fire hazard then copper wiring.
Electrical fires are a dangerous threat to homeowners, in the UK alone, there has been more than 20,000 fires reported last year form electrical causes. The statistics show that at least 70 people died in the fire, and more than 300,000 were seriously injured due to electrical accidents in the home. Homeowners need to routinely check if the home is safe.
The times we are living in, shows more and more of us are using numerous electrical appliances in our homes. With more computers, toasters, microwaves, hair dryers, TVs and DVD players in the home than 20 years ago it has resulted in a major spike in accidental electrical fires.
If you are a homeowner, then the best option is to contact a home inspection company and request a professional home inspection service. A qualified inspector is able to evaluate the home’s electrical system and wiring. The home inspector could advise accordingly what steps to take next if updates are required.
We need electricity in our homes for obvious reasons, but we need to be careful in the way we use it. Try not overloading plug sockets, and any buzzing sounds, or smell of burning should never be ignored or overlooked.
Most electrical fires happen due to sockets being overloaded; other factors are faulty or broken products or products that are misused. If you fail to address any electrical problem, then the outcome can be devastating. You need to be smart, use your common sense, unplug cell chargers and other electronics when not in use.
by cfbi1 | Jun 4, 2014 | Home Inspection
Nowadays, insurance companies are holding back on writing new home policies, especially on homes that are over 25 years old. They will only offer insurance policies on homes over 25 years old if a four-point inspection has been carried out on it. If you want more insurance options, then you’ll need to find a home inspection company that provides a four-point inspection for insurance approval.
The four main areas that are covered in a four-point inspection are the roof, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical wiring that’s in place. As you can imagine, if a house is constructed over 25 years ago, then there is a very high chance it doesn’t meet current construction and building standards.
A four-point inspection covers these four areas and makes sure everything is safely up-to-code and in working order. A completed report includes the age and the condition of all four major areas in the home.
Insurance companies are well aware of resident claims on their home damages and contents. Today, insurance companies are stricter on what they are willing to insure. Older homes are simply higher risk of having to pay out a claim. That’s why insurance companies are requiring four-point inspections.
It gives a clear indication of what needs fixed, upgraded, or replaced, in an older home, and if it’s up to suitable standards. Unfortunately, this may leave a homeowner with a long repair list. If homeowners want insurance coverage, then the repairs are necessary.
Insurance companies are more liberal in the case of insuring newer built homes, as the property is deemed up to current safety standards. If you received a notice in the mail from your insurance company requiring that you submit a four-inspection, contact a local home inspection company for a free consultation.
by cfbi1 | Jun 3, 2014 | Home Inspection
There are many things that come with buying a home; there is a lot of attention needed in order for the home buying process to be a success. One of the main things that needs considered is the area of a home inspection service. A home inspection service is the best way to get a clear picture of the property you are looking to buy.
Today, we are going to discuss thermal imaging, what it is, and why it’s sometimes required during a home inspection service. In every case, unless you have some range of super powers, it’s impossible to see below the surface of the ground to correctly evaluate the condition of that area.
Thermal imaging is a professional and successful way of seeing below the surface. It also is a great way of highlighting any hidden or underlying issues of concern. Thermal imaging, when done correctly, detects mold, termite activity, faulty wiring, and it’s a more efficient way of finding the true conditions of any property. It picks up what the eye can’t see.
Thermal imaging is non-invasive and causes no damage to the property, hidden faults are easily detected, and then the inspector is able to advise you on repairs needed, and the best way to have them done.
Thermal imaging is great for energy audits, as it shows where the house is losing heat. The thermal imaging camera detects these areas easily. The ability to know where to fix air leaks, in the home, is invaluable as it can save you money on utility bills each month.
For a home needing a little more in-depth inspection services, then thermal imaging is the best way to go about getting the results that you need. It can assist you to make the best decision regarding that property.
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by cfbi1 | May 29, 2014 | Home Inspection
When the time comes to sell your home, it can be quite a nervy time. As you probably know, most homebuyers will be attending in person with their own hired home inspector. So, it’s best if you are the seller of the home you are well prepared and ready for any home inspection that is to take place.
Before any home inspection takes place make sure that you do the rounds in your home. Any appliances that currently not working need to have a note attached to them stating it is not operating properly, and you are in the process of getting it repaired. You don’t want to try and fool any inspector or potential buyer by hiding broken appliances.
This only results in making you look dishonest and that you are trying to pull the wool over their eyes. Honesty and integrity is the key here.
Make sure that certain areas in the home are accessible, such as, open attic doors, crawl spaces, etcetera. Take the time to move what needs to be moved so the home can be inspected with ease. You don’t want the inspector filing in his report that he/she had to move your stuff around to carry out their duties.
Keep your floors clean and rooms tidied. You don’t want dirty laundry everywhere and your personal items lying around, it makes the property look unkempt. If you have a pet, it is recommended that it not be present at the time of inspection. Buyers can easily be put off by barking dogs and the stench of cat litter trays. You want those interested in purchasing the home to have a pleasant experience during the home tour.
As mentioned above, it’s important to prepare your home; you need to know that the home inspector is not the bad guy attempting to present you with a checklist of problems you never knew about, or tried to hide. Again, honesty and integrity are an integral part to aiding a positive house sale.
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by cfbi1 | May 27, 2014 | Home Inspection
When you are thinking about purchasing a property, or you already own a property, make sure to contact a professional home inspection company for a home review on that property. A home inspection is not just a one-time service, there are many specialist services home inspection company’s offer to give customers peace of mind.
One service, we will have a look at today, is a wind mitigation test. A wind mitigation test is a service that is carried out to help homeowner’s qualify for a discount on their insurance premiums. The discounts and lower prices are usually given by insurance providers to homeowners that have suitable wind resistant features protecting their homes, e.g. roof straps, impact-resistant windows, and/or reinforced garage doors.
Having adequate wind resistant features protecting your home helps significantly, especially if your home is located in an area where there is high hurricane activity and severe wet seasons. The insurance providers see that having suitable protection decreases the chances of that home being damaged during strong storms. This results in the insurance company being less likely to pay out in damages every time there is a hurricane or every time the wet seasons hit.
When a wind mitigation test is carried out on the home’s roof, gable end bracing, even the design, the positioning of the building, add wall connections will all be evaluated and correctly inspected. Garage doors and fitted hurricane shutters will be tested for functionality and safety. After submitting the test to your insurance company they will calculate the appropriate discount amount.
If you would like a wind mitigation test carried out on your property to lower your insurance premiums, then contact a local professional home inspection company today. Make sure that your home is safe during these tough weather seasons and that you have the best insurance coverage should anything unpredictable happen.
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by cfbi1 | May 23, 2014 | Home Inspection
Did you know that around two out of every five homes in the USA suffer from some sort of major defect? The thing about major defects is that they are generally not cheap to fix, hence the term major defect. A major defect, such as, a damaged neglected roof can cost anything upward of $15,000 to fix and repair.
The only real way that you can protect yourself financially from large repair bills is by investing in a home inspection service. If you are looking at buying a home, then a professional home inspector is the person that you need to hire. They can look over the property that has caught your eye and give it a proper assessment based on knowledge of current building codes.
A fully qualified home inspector is trained to find the hidden issues that lay unseen. The kind of issues that most people don’t see due to lack of home inspection experience. The good thing about hiring a home inspector is that their services can save you money in the long run.
Potential and existing problems can be highlighted and evaluated helping you to make the best and informed decision regarding the property purchase. You need help to determine if it’s a suitable investment opportunity.
Home inspections are becoming more and more popular, and most bank lenders will now require that a home inspection is carried out during the home buying process. When choosing a home inspector, keep in mind that you are looking for the most skilled and experienced of home inspection companies. This assures that you get the best inspector to provide the needed services.
Its common sense to include a home inspection service when you are going through the home buying process. You don’t want to sign on any property until you have a completed home inspection report in your hand with detailed information about the home you are looking at.
Get the home you are looking to buy, inspected today. Be confident that the property is a safe environment for you and your family to build your lives.
